Page 43 of Refuge for Flora

There was a painful honesty in her voice when she asked, “Why?”

“Because you’re a fighter. You’re a survivor. You have no idea how much I respect that.”

“I just do what I have to do.”

“Yes, but youdo. A lot of women would just give up, but you haven’t. And I respect that greatly. But you need to know, I’ve…” The words were hard to say, and he struggled for a bit until he managed. “I’ve questioned myself, my manhood, a lot over the last three years. I wondered if everything happened because I wasn’t enough of a man, if I wasn’t strong enough, or sexy enough, or…”

“Stop.”

“No. Please. Just listen to me.”

“But you know none of that was you, Barrett. Youknowthat.”

“I know it in here,” he said, tapping his head, “but not always in here.” He patted his chest. “And you? The way you responded to me? I know it wasn’t me. I’m okay. I always have been. I questioned myself, and I shouldn’t have. Hell, Jessica… Jesse told me not to, but I did anyway. You know, if I had been more this or more that, wouldn’t he have wanted to stay a she? To stay with me? To be my wife? But I know that isn’t reality. In reality, this was something that was with him from the time he was born.”

“Yeah, and something about you made him feel like he could be strong enough to do what he had to do. That’s a testimony to your integrity and your ability to be kind and loving to people around you.” Her hand stroked down his chest and rested lightly on his belly. “You’re an exceptional man. I can’t tell you how honored I feel to be here with you.”

Barrett pulled her up against him and kissed her forehead, his arms winding around her and holding her tightly. He gave her another sweet, lingering kiss, and kissed her forehead again before cuddling against her. “I’m honored to be here with you. I think we could be really good for each other.”

“I hope so.” She lay there for a few minutes, then sat straight up, those two perky breasts bouncing. “Oh, shit! What time is it?”

“I dunno. Nine?”

“Damn! I’ve gotta go see about Mrs.Murphy! Shit, shit, shit. I was hoping to use your computer, but I’ve really gotta go.”

“I was hoping you could spend the night.”

She shook her head as she pulled on her underwear and hooked her bra. “Not unless she’ll let you come down there and stay with me at her place. It’s my responsibility to make sure she’s okay.” With her clothes finally yanked on, she slipped her shoes on and smiled at him. “I wish I could stay here too. I really want to.”

“That’s okay. You can come back any time. You know that.”

Flora grinned. “Even if Jesse’s here?”

“Especiallyif Jesse’s here!” Barrett laughed as he sat on the bed and pulled on his boxer briefs. By the time he had his lounge pants on, she was already at the front door. “Hey! Wait!”

“I’ve gotta go! Come on!”

She had the front door open, but he grabbed her arm. “Wait. You can’t walk back by yourself in the dark. Let me get my keys and I’ll drive you down.” He thought she’d argue with him, but she didn’t, so he hustled up and slipped on a pair of shower shoes before he held the door open for her and led her to the truck, hand in hand.

It wasn’t far enough for them to have much of a conversation, but when he dropped his right hand onto the console, palm up, she placed hers firmly in it and his fingers closed around it. It felt right. He’d barely gotten the truck parked in the driveway before she was up on the seat on her knees, leaning over the console to kiss him. It surprised him, but in a good way. Her lips were soft and sweet and?BANG! BANG! BANG!In unison, they both yelled, “What the hell?”

Flora rolled the window down and there stood Mrs.Murphy, a cross look on her face. “What the fuck are y’all doin’ out here? You scared the hell outta me! I thought there was some damn trespasser out here fixin’ to tear up my stuff!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs.Murphy. I didn’t mean to be late getting back.”

“Yeah, you can blame it on me,” Barrett added. “It’s my fault. We lost track of time. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, yeah. Next time y’all wanna do the horizontal bop, just come on down here so at least I’m not alone. But you can’t be loud. That’ll drive me crazy.”

Barrett was struggling to hold back laughter. “Well, okay then. I wondered if I would be welcome here.”

“You mow my fuckin’ grass. What am I gonna do, tell you to get the hell outta my house? Can’t hardly do that, now can I?” She turned and stomped off toward the house. “Damn young’uns. Can’t do nothin’ with ‘em these days.”

Flora started to chuckle. “Young’uns. It’s been a long time since anybody called me a young’un.”

“Me too!” Barrett finally had to laugh. “Well, if we wondered if it was okay for me to come down here, I guess we’ve got our answer!”

Flora was a breathless, laughing mess. “Yeah, and all because we were making out in the driveway. I feel like I’m seventeen again!”

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